Arches National Park

Overview

Located in Southeastern Utah, Arches National Park is home to the world’s largest concentration of natural stone arches. Arches is made up of beautiful red stone, arid desert, and accentuated by oddly eroded sandstone forms such as balanced rocks, spires, fins, and world famous arches.

Arches National Park covers more than 73,000 acres and has more than 2,000 such photographic wonders of nature. Among the most treasured arches and geological sources and formations in the valley are the Skyline Arch, Double Arch in the Windows Section, Fiery Furnace, Devils Garden, Balanced Rock, as well as the world famous Delicate Arch. Arches National Park offers unparalleled landscapes to any visitor of the region.

Arches National Park is located near Moab, Utah and covers more than 119 square miles. Over the years Arches National Park has lost many of the arches due to erosion and other forces of nature. These forces of nature have exposed millions of years of geologic history. Contrasting colors, varied landscapes, as well as landforms and textures make Arches National Park truly unique in the entire world.

Many of the natural wonders can be seen from an automobile, but to really experience all that arches has to offer, a few trips by foot onto the beautiful trails is a great way to come closer to this truly unique and beautiful landscape.

• Climate

Temperatures in Arches National Park in the summer (June through September) can exceed well beyond 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Equally extreme are the cold winters which can often drop below 32 degree Fahrenheit. The temperatures in the park may range 50 degree in a 24-hour period.

Map & Directions

Arches National Park is one of the most overlooked national parks in all of the United States. Within a very short walk from the car you can see some of the world's most exquisite and unforgettable views. The natural wonders at Arches National Park are completely unparalleled in all of the world. The fins and arches are all over the area. A trip to Arches is a trip you will never forget.

The entrance to Arches is about 5 miles north of Moab, Utah via U.S. 191. The park's natural wonders can be seen from a distance, but it is much better and almost necessary to to leave the car and get up close and personal to the rocks. Getting out of the car is key to truly experiencing the unique and beautiful land of Arches.

The distances to Arches National Park from...

• Moab, Utah - 5 miles
• Green River, Utah - 50 miles
• Grand Junction, CO - 110 miles
• Salt Lake City, Utah - 235 miles
• St George, Utah - 336 miles
• Las Vegas, NV - 455 miles

Passes & Fees

The most economical pass if you're going to visit more than one park a year, is the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. This pass gets you into any national park or federal recreational land, and costs only $80. You can [purchase it online].

If you walk in, use a motorcycle, or a bicycle to enter the park, the fee is $5.00 per person for a 7 day pass, which may not exceed $25.00 per family. However if you enter in a vehicle, all of the vehicles occupants get in for $10.00 and can stay for up to 7 days.

There is also another option called the Local Passport which is $25.00 and gains you access to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, as well as Hovenweep and Natural Bridges.

Backcountry permits are required for all overnight stays in the park boundaries, as well as any climbing excursions where you will be on the wall overnight. These also include any canyons that include rappelling. You can get your permits at the visitors center one day before you hike or you can get them the day of. Costs are as follows:

• $10.00 – 1-2 people
• $15.00 – 3-7 people
• $20.00 – 8-12 people

Please contact the Arches Visitor Center for up to date information and pricing.